USS Hornet Living Ship Day: “Remembering the Rescue of the Lost Battalion ” Special event honors Japanese American veterans from 442nd Regimental Combat Team
The USS Hornet Museum proudly welcomes four distinguished speakers for an event honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (442 RCT), the famed U.S. Army unit that orchestrated the rescue of the “Lost Battalion” during one of the fiercest battles of WWII. The program, which includes personal stories and images by men who took part in the rescue, is part of several celebrations taking place during Living Ship Day at the Museum on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Formed in 1943, the 442 RCT was a segregated unit made up mostly of Nisei (second generation Japanese American) soldiers. With its “Go For Broke” motto, the 442 RCT became a formidable and well-respected fighting unit despite lingering prejudice against Japanese Americans, especially in combat roles. By war’s end, the 442RCT had become the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in U.S. Army history, with 21 Medals of Honor awarded.
The story of the Lost Battalion remains one of the most remarkable episodes in the history of the war, and has been recounted in several films and books. On October 24, 1944, the 1st Battalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division was surrounded and trapped by German forces in the Vosges Mountains of France. It was deemed “lost” after repeated attempts by the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 141st Infantry Regiment failed to break through to the trapped soldiers.
Although not officially a part of the 36th Division, the 442 RCT was ordered to attempt a rescue of the Lost Battalion. Short on manpower after bitter battles to liberate Bruyeres and Biffontaine, the 442nd soldiers nevertheless went ahead with what was viewed by many as a suicide mission. On October 30, after taking heavy casualties, the unit finally broke through and rescued the Lost Battalion.
The event begins at 11:00 a.m. with music by the USS Hornet Band. Stories will be shared starting at 1:00 p.m.
The day’s speakers are:
- Al Tortolano, soldier with the 1stBattalion, 141st Infantry (the “Lost Battalion”), who will share memories of what he and his fellow soldiers experienced before and during their rescue.
- Lawson Sakai, soldier in E Company, 442ndRCT, will talk about the origins of the Regiment and his role during the battle to rescue the Lost Battalion.
- Franz Steidl, author of Lost Battalions: Going for Broke in the Vosges, Autumn 1944,, will discuss the military situation in the area, the complex military decisions behind the battle, and its consequences.
- Tom Graves, moderator for the discussion, professional photographer, and author of Twice Heroes: America’s Nisei Veterans of WWII and Korea, will give an overview of the 442RCT and explain the military and cultural importance of the battle.
About Living Ship Day: Living Ship Day demonstrations are held onboard the USS Hornet on the third Saturday of most months, and includes a performance by The Hornet Band from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Living Ship Day, the museum comes to life as an operating aircraft carrier, with flight simulations between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., when aircraft are lifted to the flight deck and placed into launch position. Visitors can meet former crew, sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet, and take in the sights and sounds of naval aviation. Normal museum hours and admission prices apply. Ample free parking is available across from the pier.
The USS Hornet Museum is located at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3, in Alameda. For more information, please visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.
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About the USS Hornet Museum:
The USS Hornet Museum, a popular tourist destination in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages. Through field trips and live-aboard experiences, the USS Hornet, which opened as a museum in 1998, offers educational programs focusing on naval history, science, and space technology. A registered state and national historic landmark and home of the largest collection of Apollo space mission artifacts on the West Coast, the ship is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and permanently berthed at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3 in Alameda, CA. Regular museum admission is $10 for youths age 7-17 (age 6 and under are free with paying adult); $15 for students with ID, seniors, and military with ID; and $20 for adults. Admission is free for Museum members. Ample free parking is available across from the pier. The USS Hornet is also a unique, unforgettable venue available for corporate events; trade shows and expos; private parties and big band dances; and TV and film productions. For more information, including group tours and event planning, visit: www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.
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